La Liga: Barcelona vs Las Palmas – Match Preview

FC Barcelona continue their quest for winning a third consecutive La Liga title when they host Canary Islanders Las Palmas at the Camp Nou in their 18th league game of the 2016/2017 season hoping to close the gap on Real Madrid at the top of the table from the time being.

Coming into the game after a good 3-1 Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao in midweek to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit and progress into the last 8, Barça are full of confidence ahead of the tie and Camp Nou and they are very aware that there is not a single margin for error.

Barça are clear favourites though, and they have the bigger advantage as their opponent didn’t win any of their last 7 away games in La Liga. Barça need to put everything in place as a good fight is needed if they are to defend their crown as Sevilla are also ahead of them on the log.

TEAM NEWS

Luis Enrique has the full squad at his disposal as the recent fitness boost of Jasper Cillessen made sure that all 22 first team players are fit and available for selection. It is still unclear who will start, especially in certain positions like the midfield and defence as Lucho might want to undergo some rotations and experiment stuff.

For the visitors, their situation isn’t as sweet as their entertainer’s. The Canaries are without star striker Araujo who is injured and will also be without Pedro Bigas and Santana who are absent for the same reason.

A MATCH FACT:
Barcelona have won 15 of their last 17 games against Las Palmas and are unbeaten during this period, registering 2 draws and no defeats.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Las Palmas 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona 2-1 Las Palmas
Barcelona 1-1 Las Palmas
Las Palmas 0-0 Barcelona
Barcelona 4-1 Las Palmas

FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WWWLDW
Las Palmas: DLWLWW

Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Marc André Ter Stegen; Aleix Vidal, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Digne; Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar

Las Palmas Predicted Lineup: Javi Varas; Michel, Mauricio Lemos, David García, Helder Lopes; Jonathan Viera, Roqué Mesa, Vicente Gámez; Kevin Prince Boateng, Tana, Livaja

BarcaLens Prediction: Las Palmas are playing one of the most impressive football in La Liga at the moment, a tough nut to crack. They come into this game after a 3-2 away win over Atléti in the Copa del Rey.. Barça won’t just stroll past them but with MSN now gaining back their form, they should win – Barcelona 3-1 Las Palmas.